elif shafak
Once this country symbolized the possibility that Muslim culture, secularism and Western democracy could blend harmoniously, but not anymore, says Elif Shafak.
Brexit and Trump victories have energized Europe’s ultra-nationalist parties.
"We cannot leave patriotism to the nationalists. ... And we cannot leave emotions to populist demagogues," says Elif Shafak.
"We are heading into a Kafkaesque world."
WHAT'S HAPPENING
"We have become a society of anger, paranoia [and] intimidation. And artists, writers, academics -- people who have been trying to build bridges so as to promote coexistence and peace -- know that they have lost big time."
"What we are experiencing now is a completely new stage in Turkey’s political and social history."